The laid-back Cheng Jing transmigrated into the body of a lowly prince of the Chong Dynasty. His daily duties were eating, drinking, and keeping the children happy.
He had neither influence at court nor a powerful maternal family backing him. He had planned to lie flat and coast through life, at worst being sent to the frontier as an idle prince.
Then his benevolent eldest brother died unexpectedly, leaving the position of crown prince vacant, and not a single person seemed capable of taking it.
A sky screen suddenly appeared:
[Today, we're going to talk about a famous emperor of the Chong Dynasty, an unparalleled ruler throughout history: Emperor Chongwen.]
[During his reign, the Chong Dynasty enjoyed good governance and harmony, and its granaries were full. It would be no exaggeration to say that all nations came to pay tribute.]
The assembled officials looked delighted, and even Emperor Chong Taizu, seated at the top of the Golden Throne Hall, gripped the armrests tightly.
At last, the legacy of their Chong Dynasty had been carried on. But before they could breathe a sigh of relief, the sky screen continued:
[Yet the thing he is most criticized for is his rebellion and usurpation of the throne.]
Everyone present went pale, cold sweat running down their foreheads as they feared being implicated.
[But you can't say Emperor Chongwen was the one who started the rebellion. It was all because the sons who succeeded Chong Taizu were so useless.]
[Take Emperor Ling, for instance. He was ignorant and foolish, and let his maternal relatives and eunuchs seize control of the court and rule the Chong Dynasty.]
[Then Emperor Li rebelled against his own father and nearly destroyed half the Chong Dynasty. Honestly, Emperor Chongwen's rebellion was practically a favor to Chong Taizu. Otherwise, the Chong Dynasty would have had to adopt an entirely new name.]
The officials all closed their eyes, wishing they could stop breathing altogether.
Chong Taizu's gaze was razor-sharp as he scanned those below him, wishing he could find someone to strangle on the spot.
Meanwhile, Cheng Jing took advantage of the distraction to count his savings and see if he had enough to fake his death and escape.
*
[After ascending the throne, Emperor Chongwen vigorously promoted the expansion of maritime trade and sent several expeditions west across the seas. The revenue from overseas exports alone brought in an additional sixty million taels of silver each year.]
[Not only that, he also discovered high-yield crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes, offering a lifesaving remedy in an era plagued by frequent famines.]
The people who had lived through famine were moved to tears. The Minister of Revenue, who managed the court's silver, even dropped to his knees and cried out in his heart, "Long live the emperor!"
[In military affairs, Emperor Chongwen championed innovation, improving the firearms and gunpowder of the day a hundredfold. He crushed the frontier tribes so thoroughly that none dared invade again, and expanded the empire's territory several times over.]
Seeing these tremendous achievements, the officials and Chong Taizu could hardly refuse to be impressed. Chong Taizu even found himself wanting to adopt this Emperor Wen as his godson.
[Now, let's say Emperor Chongwen's name aloud: Cheng Jing!]
So, when Cheng Jing returned to the capital after completing the task his adoptive father had given him, he saw an imperial carriage waiting for him in the distance. He was just about to kneel and offer his thanks when Chong Taizu placed the nine-strand crown on his own head and declared, "From this day on, the Great Chong is yours to protect."
???
Here's a preview of an upcoming story---
Cheng Heng transmigrated into the body of a fallen aristocratic family's son who was about to be executed. To stay alive, he bound himself to a Nation-Support System.
He rose from a minor eighth-rank official to a high-ranking second-rank minister. But the royal family was ruthless, and he understood that a rabbit was cooked once the hounds were gone. Following the principle of quitting while ahead, he planned to retire and go home to farm.
On the very day his retirement petition was about to be submitted, a sky screen appeared.
[Friends, today we're talking about the greatest ruler in history, the later Emperor Shengwen of the Yan Dynasty, a figure who would become highly controversial.]
As everyone knew, the current emperor, Emperor Wanshu, had five princes. They lacked ability but were full of schemes, and their vicious struggle had plunged the court into chaos. The position of heir remained unsettled.
Emperor Wanshu looked at the vacant position of heir: ...Suddenly, he had something to look forward to.
The officials finally sprang into action. Their chance to make a name for themselves in the history books had arrived.
[He left a lasting mark on Yan Dynasty history. His reforms to the civil service evaluation system, land surveys, and frontier defenses all benefited the nation and its people. But his claim to the throne is what draws the most criticism, because he rebelled against Emperor Wanxiao's court and raised Emperor Wanshu to the throne.]
The officials were all silent with fear. Not a soul in the court dared speak up, and the princes standing below trembled.
Cheng Heng's eyelid twitched. His soon-to-be-submitted petition contained exactly these recommendations.
[After Emperor Wanshu passed away, Emperor Wanxiao showed his true colors. He was incompetent, immoral, greedy, and lecherous. For years, he failed to hold court or attend to state affairs, throwing the border into chaos and leaving the people in misery. So our brave and mighty Emperor Wen rebelled!]
Emperor Wanshu's face turned livid. He glanced at his useless sons below, wishing he could send every one of them to the frontier.
The princes all knocked their heads against the ground and begged for mercy.
Cheng Heng replaced his petition, and as soon as Emperor Wanshu approved it, he hurried home to farm.
Just as he received the vermilion-signed decree and stood at the capital gates with his travel papers in hand, a brilliant white sky screen appeared---
[During his ten years on the throne, Emperor Shengwen filled the people's granaries and gave the officials a record of clean governance. He was truly a ruler for the ages. And before he became emperor, he was the chief minister who led the court through the Wanshu era: Cheng Heng.]
The guard at the capital gate already had the travel papers from his hands.
Behind him, horses whinnied, and a murderous aura spread through the air, raising a chill on his back.
He turned around to see the civil and military officials gathered behind him. Emperor Wanshu kicked away the sons clinging to his legs, his face stern and solemn as he prepared to abdicate in Cheng Heng's favor and have him enthroned at once.
Cheng Heng: ...Ascend the throne? ...No... I want to retire!!!
Emperor Wanshu: Heaven has sent a wise ruler to Great Yan, child. This is what you were born for.
Theme: Stay clear-headed and strive to live well.
It's not finished yet, why haven't you written it yet?
Didn't I mention uncle before? Why doesn't the emperor know who Emperor Li is... The bug is too obvious
Is this an inverted v? Why do I get a reminder that I didn't buy the chapters I read before?
Baby, I think there are a lot of typos.